U.S. patent application number 11/599773 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-15 for device for reducing the tension on an elastomeric feed.
Invention is credited to Scott Edward Ackerman, Gary Robert Burg, Christopher David Dyrlund, Brian Richard Koch.
Application Number | 20080111016 11/599773 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39092816 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080111016 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ackerman; Scott Edward ; et
al. |
May 15, 2008 |
Device for reducing the tension on an elastomeric feed
Abstract
A method and device is provided for reducing the tension on an
elastomeric feed strip. The method includes providing a device for
engagement with the feed strip, pushing the feed strip forward by
the device when the feed strip stops or when the tension exceeds a
certain value, and then pushing the strip in the direction of
travel.
Inventors: |
Ackerman; Scott Edward;
(Brunswick, OH) ; Dyrlund; Christopher David;
(Canton, OH) ; Burg; Gary Robert; (Massillon,
OH) ; Koch; Brian Richard; (Hartville, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT 823
1144 EAST MARKET STREET
AKRON
OH
44316-0001
US
|
Family ID: |
39092816 |
Appl. No.: |
11/599773 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/416 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 23/1888 20130101;
B29C 48/07 20190201; B65H 2801/93 20130101; B65H 20/04 20130101;
B29C 48/2888 20190201; B29K 2021/00 20130101; B65H 20/24 20130101;
B29C 48/37 20190201 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/416 |
International
Class: |
B65H 59/40 20060101
B65H059/40 |
Claims
1. A method of reducing the tension on an elastomeric feed strip of
an extruder system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a
device for engagement with the feed strip, pushing the feed strip
forward by the device when the feed strip stops its forward
motion.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the device comprises a roller
having a one way bearing.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the device comprises a support
plate.
4. The method of claims 2 or 3 wherein the device further comprises
a support frame connected to a hydraulic mechanism, wherein the
support frame is slidably mounted to support rails, and said
hydraulic mechanism has a retractable arm connected to the support
frame.
5. A method of reducing the tension on an elastomeric feed strip of
an extruder system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a
device for engagement with the feed strip, monitoring the tension
of the feed strip, pushing the feed strip forward by the device
when the tension exceeds a certain level.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the device comprises a roller
having a one way bearing.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the device comprises a support
plate.
8. The method of claims 6 or 7 wherein the device further comprises
a support frame connected to a hydraulic mechanism, wherein the
support frame is slidably mounted to support rails, and said
hydraulic mechanism has a retractable arm connected to the support
frame.
9. A tension reducing device for engagement with a feed strip the
device comprising: a support frame having one or more support legs,
wherein the support frame may move from a first position to a
second position different than said first position, wherein the
tension reducing device further comprises a feed strip engagement
device for engaging the feed strip and pushing the feed strip
forward in the same direction of travel to thereby reduce the
tension of the feed strip.
10. The tension-reducing device of claim 9 wherein the support
frame is slidably mounted to support rails.
11. The tension-reducing device of claim 9 wherein the feed strip
engagement device comprises a roller connected to the support frame
and having a one way bearing.
12. The tension-reducing device of claim 9 wherein the feed strip
engagement device comprises a support plate.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to reducing the tension of a feed
strip, and more particularly to reducing the tension of a
elastomeric feed strip into an extruder.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Gear pump extruders are used in the tire industry to extrude
rubber components. A large feed strip of rubber is typically fed
into a feed box of an extruder. In some cases, a gear pump extruder
may run intermittently. When the extruder stops, there is tension
on the feed strip of material. If the tension is too great, the hot
rubber/metal in the feedbox of the extruder can cause the feed
strip to break. If the strip breaks, it can cause a production
error or extruder stoppage or even an incorrect output from the
extruder/gear pump until the feed strip is refed into the feed box.
Thus it is desired to have an improved feed system without the
aforementioned disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention provides in a first aspect a method of
reducing the tension on an elastomeric feed strip of an extruder
system, the method includes providing a device for engagement with
the feed strip, and pushing the feed strip forward by the device
when the feed strip stops its forward motion. The device may
comprise a roller having a one way bearing or a support plate.
[0004] A tension reducing device for engagement with a feed strip
the device includes: a support frame having one or more support
legs, wherein the support frame may move from a first position to a
second position different than said first position, wherein the
tension reducing device further comprises a feed strip engagement
device for engaging the feed strip and pushing the feed strip
forward in the same direction of travel to thereby reduce the
tension of the feed strip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The invention will be described by way of example and with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a feed strip device of the
present invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view of the feed strip device of FIG. 1;
and
[0008] FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of a feed strip device
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A feed strip tension-reducing device 10 is shown in FIG. 1.
The feed strip device is suitable for use in conjunction with an
extruder or other device requiring a feed strip of elastomer or
rubber. The feed strip device 10 functions to release the tension
in a feed strip of elastomer by pushing the strip forward as
described below.
[0010] The feed strip tension-reducing device 10 comprises a
support frame 20 which is generally oriented across or
perpendicular to the direction of travel of a conveyor system 22.
The conveyor system typically comprises a plurality of rollers 24
mounted in parallel relationship, forming a conveyor system for
transporting an elastomeric strip to an extruder or other device. A
conveyor belt (not shown) may also be used instead of the
rollers.
[0011] The support frame 20 includes an upper reinforcement bar 21
which joins support legs 50, 52. The support legs 50, 52 are
mounted on opposed side rails 25 of the conveyor system. The upper
reinforcement bar 21 further includes two opposed flanges 55 for
pivotally connecting ends of two support rails 26, 27 by pins
28.
[0012] Mounted between support rails 26, 27 are one or more
crossbars 30, 32. Centered in lower cross bar 30 is a roller 40
which is rotatably mounted to the cross bar 30. The roller 40 has
an outer driving surface 42 which may comprise optional grooves 44
thereon. Internal to roller 40 is a one way bearing (not shown)
which will only allow rotation of the roller 40 in one direction.
The roller can only rotate with the feed strip, i.e., in the same
direction of travel as the feed strip. Roller 40 engages the feed
strip, rotating with the feed strip during extruder operation.
[0013] The frame side support legs 50, 52 have flanged ends 54
which are mounted upon slidable blocks 60. Blocks 60 further
comprise an interior channel 62 for slidably receiving a rail 64
therein. Thus the entire support frame 20 may slide forward and aft
upon rails 64. The support frame 20 is further connected to a
pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism 66 having a retractable arm 68.
The retractable arm is connected to the lower support leg 52. Thus
the hydraulic mechanism extends and retracts arm 68 causing the
support frame to slide backwards and forwards on the support rails.
FIG. 2 illustrates the support frame assembly in a retracted
position. As further shown in FIG. 2, the hydraulic arm is fully
extended when the support frame is in the fully retracted position.
FIG. 1 illustrates the hydraulic arm in the retracted position,
after moving the support frame assembly to the fully forward
position. The hydraulic arm operation may be controlled by a system
PLC controller (not shown) which instructs the hydraulic arm to
retract to the retracted position when the extruder gear pump is
idled or turned off. When the hydraulic arm retracts, the support
frame is slid forward on support rails (in the same direction of
travel as the feed strip), wherein the support roller 40 pushes the
feed strip forward, thereby reducing the tension of the feed strip.
The tension of the strip is reduced enough to prevent the strip
from breaking. The system controller then instructs hydraulic arm
to fully extend, returning the feed strip tension reducing device
10 to the start or retracted position.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a
tension-reducing device. All of the components are as described
above, except that the roller 40 and support rails 26, 27 are
replaced with a support plate 70. The support plate 70 has tabular
ends 72 which are pivotally connected to flanges 55 of support bar
21 via pins 28. Support frame 70 has an angled, distal end 74 which
is positioned for engagement with the feed strip. The support frame
70 may comprise any desired shape, and is not limited to the T
shape as illustrated. The distal end 72 rides along the feed strip.
When the extruder gear pump is idled or turned off, the hydraulic
arm 68 retracts, sliding the support frame 20 forward on support
rails (in the same direction of travel as the feed strip), wherein
the support plate 70 engages the strip and pushes it forward,
thereby reducing the tension of the feed strip. The tension of the
strip is reduced enough to prevent the strip from breaking. The
system controller then instructs hydraulic arm to fully extend,
returning the feed strip tension reducing device 10 to the start or
retracted position.
[0015] Variations in the present invention are possible in light of
the description of it provided herein. While certain representative
embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of
illustrating the subject invention, it will be apparent to those
skilled in this art that various changes and modifications can be
made therein without departing from the scope of the subject
invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that changes can be
made in the particular embodiments described which will be within
the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the
following appended claims.
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